Diri Tasks Permanent Secretaries on Stronger Bureaucracy, better Governance in Bayelsa

 By Majesty Inegbagha 

YENAGOA — Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has charged permanent secretaries in the state to strengthen the civil service bureaucracy and provide the professional leadership required to deliver effective and accountable governance.

Gov. Douye Diri

Governor Diri, who spoke through his Deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, gave the charge on Monday while declaring open a three-day executive training programme for permanent secretaries in Yenagoa.

Dr. Peter Akpe, Bàyelsa State Deputy 

The training, organised by the Bayelsa State Government in collaboration with the Nigeria Institute of Management (Chartered), has the theme: “Strategic Leadership and Public-Sector Governance for Effective Service Delivery.”

The governor emphasised the importance of a strong and professional civil service, describing permanent secretaries as a critical bridge between political leadership and the bureaucracy.

According to him, the bureaucracy is expected to promote order, efficiency, fairness, accountability, proper record-keeping and institutional continuity in government.

He urged permanent secretaries to provide sound professional advice to political leaders and work closely with directors and other professionals in their respective ministries, stressing that effective governance required collective responsibility.

Permanent Secretaries in a group Photograph with the Bàyelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter  Akpe and others.

Making reference to the managerial principles of German political economist, Max Weber, Governor Diri underscored the need for continuous learning and professional development among public servants.

He warned that officials who failed to update their knowledge risked becoming disconnected from contemporary realities and the changing demands of public administration.

The governor said: “Until you have a strong bureaucracy, you can’t run a good government. We should ensure that we are intentional and conscious of that particular role. You are a bridge.”

He added: “There are people that are permanent secretaries today. They joined service maybe about 30 years ago, and they are still working with the old knowledge; you can't fit in now. So, you really have to update through learning.”

Governor Diri also urged permanent secretaries to recognise the contributions of directors and other officials within their ministries, noting that effective administration should not be restricted to commissioners and permanent secretaries.

“Most of the times, you see that activities and decisions in some ministry are between the commissioner and the permanent secretary, or sometimes they add the DFA. You don't assume you know it all. You must carry your directors and other officers along,” he said.

Permanent Secretaries Strategically Positioned — Head of Service

In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Dr. Ebiye Wisdom Sawyer, said the training was coming at a time when citizens expected government institutions to be more responsive, transparent and efficient.

Dr. Sawyer noted that permanent secretaries occupied strategic positions in the machinery of government, with responsibilities for policy implementation, strengthening institutional systems and promoting professionalism within the public service.

He urged the participants to embrace digital transformation and improve administrative processes, data management and access to government services.

According to him, “Citizens expect government institutions to be responsive, transparent, efficient and capable of delivering quality services that positively affect their lives.”

He added that strategic leadership required more than managing routine administrative responsibilities, but also demanded vision, sound judgement, innovation, effective communication, accountability and the ability to inspire officers towards achieving institutional goals.

Civil Service Commission, NIM Pledge Support

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission, Hon. Perekiye Buruboyefe, urged the permanent secretaries to approach the training with open minds and make maximum use of the knowledge to be acquired.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Management (Chartered), Dr. Sani Abubakar, expressed the institute’s commitment to ensuring that the training achieved its objectives.

He assured the state government and participants of the institute’s continued support towards strengthening leadership and management capacity in the public service.

Also speaking, the Bayelsa State Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Mr. Jonathan Asigo, said the training would deepen the permanent secretaries’ understanding of the principles guiding the conduct of public officers and enable them to discharge their responsibilities more effectively.

In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Permanent Secretaries Forum, Dr. Agadah Zuoboemi, said training the leadership of the civil service would have a wider positive impact on other workers.

He expressed the hope that participants would apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme to improve service delivery across their respective ministries.

Among dignitaries present at the event were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. (Mrs.) Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai; Commissioner for Public Utilities, Engr. Karin Kumoko; Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei; and members of the state Civil Service Commission, among others.